Catalogue
| Émetteur | State of Minas Gerais (Brazil) |
|---|---|
| Année | 1808 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Valeur | |
| Devise | |
| Composition | Silver (.917) |
| Poids | 27.07 g |
| Diamètre | 39 mm |
| Épaisseur | |
| Forme | Round |
| Technique | Counterstamped |
| Orientation | |
| Graveur(s) | |
| En circulation jusqu’à | |
| Référence(s) | KM#245 |
| Description de l’avers | Circular counterstamp with reeeded border containing crowned arms and value. On host coin Mexico 8 Reales KM# 105. |
|---|---|
| Écriture de l’avers | Latin |
| Légende de l’avers | 960 |
| Description du revers | Circular counterstamp with reeded border containing armillary sphere. On reverse of host coin. |
| Écriture du revers | |
| Légende du revers | |
| Tranche | |
| Atelier | |
| Tirage | ND (1808) |
| ID Numisquare | 3811540135 |
| Informations supplémentaires |
Historical Context: The 1808 960 Réis marks a critical juncture in Luso-Brazilian history. Following Napoleon's invasion, the Portuguese Royal Family, led by Prince Regent João, relocated to Brazil. This necessitated a stable, high-denomination currency. Instead of new minting, foreign silver 8 Reales, primarily Mexican, were counterstamped to 960 Réis. This pragmatic act affirmed Portuguese monetary sovereignty in its new imperial capital, ensuring economic continuity during a period of profound geopolitical shift.
Artistry: The aesthetic significance of this issue lies in the functional artistry of the counterstamp. The host coin, a Mexican 8 Reales (KM#245), typically featured a Spanish monarch's bust and the Pillars of Hercules. The Brazilian counterstamp (KM#105) usually presents a crowned "J" or "JR" monogram and the value "960" within a cartouche, often applied over the original bust. This concise mark served as a powerful declaration of the coin's revalidated legal tender status and value under the Portuguese crown.
Technical/Grading: The technical qualities of the 960 Réis are inherently tied to its counterstamped nature. The host Mexican 8 Reales, with its .917 silver purity, 27.07 gram weight, and 39 mm diameter, provides a robust canvas. For grading, clarity and completeness of the counterstamp are paramount. High-points include the crown's details, the monogram's serifs, and the "960" numerals. Counterstamps often exhibit varying strike depths, sometimes causing ghosting. The underlying wear of the host coin significantly impacts overall appeal, with sharply impressed counterstamps on well-preserved hosts being highly prized.